Third Star

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source: Third Star

The emotions evoked from this movie is just too powerful. Benedict's performance; his every wince and moan at the pain suffered by a cancer patient, his glossed-over eyes depicts those of a person falling in and out of morphine daydream. His performance is just brilliant. This movie also brings out the question of morality. Do you or do you not help a person in this much of pain? Could you bear to see your friend suffer for the sake of adhering to what society deems as moral? The questions that James asked his friends about what they're doing with their lives makes you think whether you are doing enough with yours. Would you wish you'd have more time to do the things you always put off doing, or would you be able to die with no regrets, with no urgency or need to tie loose ends.

James, a 29 year old man who is ill with terminal cancer, is taken in a carriage with his three best friends to his favorite place: The Barafundle Bays in West Wales. The film starts out as a fun and hilarious road movie, with the four young men enjoying their time trekking forests, goofing about and getting into bar brawls with locals, all the while trying to find a special beach that James loves. However towards the end of the film, things start to get less funny, as James's illness worsens, he has fits of chronic pain that can only be treated with morphine. All four friends have different issues with their love and professional lives, which affect their relationships with each other. The film looked and felt very similar to Alfonso Curaon's Y Tu Mama Tambien, another funny road movie which included cancer and the enjoyment of life before it's too late in its themes. Only in the last fifteen minutes of this film, the scenes get more and more difficult to watch as it comes to its inevitable tragic end. The title is a reference to a mistake the friends make about the location of Peter Pan's Neverland. ("Second star to the right." "I thought it was third star?") The story of an immortal boy who never grew up, which is the opposite of James, the mortal man did not have long to live. Third Star is ultimately about the celebration and embrace of life and that the true enemy is not death itself, but the waste of life by constant pain and worry.

I watched Third Star perhaps two weeks ago, but realised that it is one of those movies you have to step back from before expressing an opinion out in the open. The movie tells the story of four friends, one of whom diagnosed with rhabdomyosarcoma, to a faraway place filled to the brim with happy, cherished memories. From beginning to end, the tale is full of emotions, all shapes and sizes, climbing on top of one another and dashing across the spectrum, slurred by the simple, yet powerful dialog. There are elements present that one expects when reading a summary for 'one of them diagnosed with cancer". They are, however, presented honestly and simply, without redundant drama. Furthermore, it is not James that leads the movie as the sole figure of interest. All four friends have unique stories, unfolding with varying severity and overtones, and each becomes dear to you by the end. I will finish this review by saying that the movie harnesses great sadness together with immeasurable happiness, and it touches your heart, as all good movies should. "And there's no tragedy in that."

Benedict Cumberbatch. His name is unique, so is his face, which perfectly suits a young man with terminal cancer. On his 29th birthday, this man (James) starts on a journey with his 3 friends to Barafundle Bay, West Wales. All characters are introduced in the beginning, and the plot is simple. Therefore it is easy to follow the story. You can easily spot Barafundle Bay on the Google Map. It is a quiet and beautiful beach open between cliffs. It is a part of Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, very long cliff of lime rock. After dropping off their van, they walk top of the cliff several days, carrying the terminal cancer patient on a cart. According to the Google Map, it seems cars can reach only 2 kilometers away from the bay. They deliberately made a wild journey plan. They could be high-school mates. They are candid each other and reckless to do wild things, burning a tent, dropping important items. During the journey with James, who is fighting with death fear and strong pain, gradually the problems each one has are revealed. Personally, recently I often see movies about the people facing death. But this one is the story of youth.

This film would have had more stars had it not been for the amateur direction of Hattie Dalton. 20 min in I almost gave up on what I initially assumed to be a bad, made-for-TV feature. However I persevered and for that I was rewarded. I loved this short feature. Four friends go on a physically challenging road trip to appease their dying friend's last wish. Laughs, arguments, revelations and redemption are all part of the escapade, done with sincerity in the beautifully written dialogues and avoiding over-the-top sentimentality. All four characters are present in this feature, all are different, flawed and believable. As the film progress so does our insight into these people, in each of whom we can recognize a bit of ourselves or of somebody we know. Emotional as it may be, it is not a sad film. Days later I was still musing over the characters actions and reactions to one another. The acting of all 4 main characters is superb (Cumberbatch, in particular gives a powerful and yet subtle performance as the cancer-stricken protagonist). The ending is fitting for this poignant film.

Seeing this film coincided with the current euthanasia debate in my homeland, giving food for thought about this serious and ultimate solution. How far should a person involved go? And how right for him/her is to initiate the people close into these plans? The viewers have to decide, but I liked that the topic of religion was not included. The cast is also strong, leading by Benedict Cumberbatch (as James), who is really one of my favorite actors as he is able to shine in versatile roles - both weak and strong characters are not easy to play. A fine supporting role here is carried out by fine landscape of Wales in and around Pembrokeshire. Third Star is a strong male film with serious topic in the background - probably not for everyone. Moreover, it is difficult to say, how the people with similar fate or experience are able to follow the story.

This is one of the few films I will give a 10/10. The film was all around fantastically done, the directing and cinematography was executed very well, and the performances by the actors(especially Benedict Cumberbatch)gave this film life. It is a heartbreaking tale of four friends who go to visit Barafundle Bay in Wales after their friend James, who has terminal cancer, makes it one of his last wishes to see it again. The story follows them on their adventure there and the friendship they have created and bonded through. In the end James tells them his plan of drowning himself in the water so he can end his life happy and feeling something, instead of slowly fading away into his illness. It is devastating to see the group have to come to terms with his inevitable death and how much pain James is truly in. Benedict Cumberbatch portrays his character sublimely and makes you want to cry out with him. The ending is truly what brings this movie together and while it is heart breaking, it is hauntingly beautiful. I can tell you I hardly cry while watching movies, but this really touched me in a way that no other movie ever has. I sobbed, tears ran down my face during the credits. I'm shocked by how some people think it is "slow" or "uneventful" because it is really a beautiful film that can be a life changer. When this movie ends, you'll want to go see the world, live your life, and hug your family because it shows or short and precious your time on earth really is. Watch this movie, and I promise you won't regret it. (Keep some tissues near by!)